The results mean the English Premier League now looks more familiar with the "Big Four" filling the top four slots.

Chelsea's lunchtime demolition job gave the leader 20 points from eight games but Liverpool joined the Blues on the same total after scoring twice in the last 10 minutes against 10-man Wigan to snatch a 3-2 victory.

Arsenal moved up to third on 16 points after netting three second-half goals to record a 3-1 victory against Everton.

United is up to fourth on 14, along with Aston Villa, held goalless at home by Portsmouth, and Hull City, which was hosting West Ham United later yesterday.

Chelsea travelled to Middlesbrough shorn of several injured regulars but went ahead through Salomon Kalou after 14 minutes.

It then cut loose with four goals in 16 minutes early in the second half, starting with another stunning 30-meter shot by Brazilian long-range specialist Juliano Belletti.

A second for Kalou and goals by Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda secured its best away league win for five years.

"From the first moment our football, our movement and passing...that was the best we've played for a long time," Lampard told Sky Sports.

Egyptian striker Amr Zaki scored twice, including a superb scissors kick, as Wigan outplayed Liverpool to lead 2-1 at halftime after Dirk Kuyt had replied for the hosts.

However, Antonio Valencia was sent off 15 minutes from time and Liverpool cashed in with Albert Riera's equalizer and Kuyt's miss-hit winner with five minutes left.

Arsenal, which lost to Hull and drew with Sunderland in its last two games, fell behind to an early Leon Osman goal.